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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
May 31, 2012 Y | May 31, 2011 | May 31, 2010
Description of business and significant accounting policies (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 1,200,000 | $ 2,100,000 |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Useful life in years, Minimum | 5 |  |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Useful life in years, Maximum | 12 |  |
Direct costs billed and incurred | 3,300,000,000 | 3,900,000,000 | 3,100,000,000
Period in which payroll taxes typically remitted, after receipt of collections from client | one to 30 days |  |
Maximum period payroll taxes remitted, after receipt of collections from client | 90 days |  |
Maximum individual workers' compensation claims liability | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
Workers' compensation insurance costs in current liabilities | 6,200,000 | 7,300,000 |
Workers compensation insurance costs in long-term liabilities | 19,000,000 | 20,600,000 |
Total reserve for uncertain tax positions | $ 36,800,000 | $ 34,400,000 |
Buildings and improvements [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Minimum | 10 |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Maximum | 35 |  |
Data Processing Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Minimum | 2 |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Maximum | 7 |  |
Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Maximum | 7 |  |
Leasehold improvements [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Maximum | 10 |  |
Software development costs [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Minimum | 3 |  |
Property and equipment, Useful life in years, Maximum | 15 |  |

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- Definition A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Cost associated with reimbursable income. This occurs when a services entity incurs expenses on behalf of the client and passes through the cost of reimbursable expenses to a client. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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